With the 2008 Euro tournament and USA friendlies all being played right now, soccer has suddenly blown up across ESPN and all other media outlets.
But the question is, why? Why do Americans only care about soccer when they World Cup is on or the Champions League Final is about to begin?
The answer is simple: because Americans do not care about soccer. We play it growing up to get exercise and learn how to socialize with other children, but by the time high school rolls around, many of us trade our shin guards in for shoulder pads and metal cleats.
And why should we care? The biggest soccer superstar is the MLS isn’t even American, and what in the world has happened to the next soccer sensation, Freddy Adu?
When we are growing up we are told that we can be anything that we want, and, while in other nations soccer is perpetuated as the “end-all-be-all”, here in America, it's not. Why would a top athlete want to play soccer when no one watches if he can become a multi-million dollar hero in the NFL, NBA, or MLB?
Until the MLS can market something, anything, to draw fans into their sport, soccer will be nothing more than a second-tier sport that no one cares about here in America.
How they can compete with the other top sports organizations, I don’t know—I’m not a marketing genius and I’m sure they have tried. All I know is that everyone is fine with watching the World Cup every four years and checking out clips every now and again on Sportscenter.
I don’t think you want that to be the highlight of your organization’s career.
A 0-0 or 1-0 game doesn’t cut it when people are already emotionless about a game. Make it more interesting, develop better talent, and then maybe in 10 to 15 years people, and top athletes, will gain interest in soccer.
But for now, no soccer means no problem for this sports fan.
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3 months ago
Freddy Adu Plays for Benefica in Portugal, one of the most storied clubs in Europe.
from 3 months ago
Thanks I honestly didn't know, haven't heard his name is like two years
3 months ago
yeah, him and beasely (both americans) play in the Champions league for their clubs. I agree the MLS really needs help, but the league is only something like 12 years old or so. The NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL have been around for decades, with some of those teams being around since the early 1900's, so history would dictate that they have a huge leg up on a decade old team... That being said, soccer has already beat out the NHL in Ratings, The Gold cup finals last year (north american national team competition) beat out the final game in the stanley cup. David Beckham and his galaxy have been forcing MLS team to find larger venues to play in due to increased demand. ALl this new media coverage will positively effect the sport, and a new generation of fans and players, who could be watching other sports, will make soccer a permanent popular sport. Not sorry to say it mate, but soccer is here to stay!
from 3 months ago
I would like it a lot better if there was more of a scoring pay off. Its a lot of fun to play, I played all through out high school, I think its just hard sometimes to watch when we are use to sports with instant gratification (except baseball which I hate watching as well). If they can find a way to improve the product I'm sure at some point it will bring more kids in to play all their lives.
3 months ago
Americans only caring about the World Cup, Euros, and Champions League is actually big progress. Before USA '94, Americans cared about the World Cup roughly *never*. After that, they cared only once every four years. This year was the first time the CL Final got 1 million viewers--and that was on a Wednesday afternoon. Now the Euros. Next, in 2010, the CL Final moves to a Saturday and probably triples or quadruples its audience, feeding right into the World Cup.
3 months ago
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62 Goals through 25 Games in Euro 2008 - 2.48 Goals/Game
MLS is averaging 2.81 Goals/Game in 87 contests this year.
3 months ago
The European Clubs are starting to buy up young american prospects like Adu and Altidore. Altidore set the MLS transfer records of 12 million to move to Portugal I believe. Shows that the american kids have potential, If Adu and Altidore can develop in Europe against stern competition they can come back and then help lead the US national team.
3 months ago
Um I am an American and I love ESPN's HD coverage of Euro 2008. Sorry I didn't know I am not supposed to care.
More scoring? Did you watch some of the recent last-minute scoring Euro 2008 games? They were the most exciting games I have ever watched. Oh the suspense!
20 days ago
For me its actually a real shame that the americans haven't embraced soccer the way most of the rst of the world has. Its sad because they do have potential like gem said 3 months ago lol!
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